Reflections on Memorial Day Weekend

Though most of the weekend was a bit damp, I am quite pleased. Meet friends for coffee Saturday at Edmonds Cafe Louvre, Sunday had friends over for smores and a movie. Today, after a brief trip, we walked down at the Edmonds Marina, then I strolled through the neighborhood to grab a coke. Lastly, I zipped out to Albertsons for some groceries. Not high demand, which is good right now. Rest.

But getting together with friends was my favorite part. It makes me feel the most blessed. And grateful.

I’m surrounded by good, loving people. My life is pretty awesome.

A reflection about being wished a “Happy Memorial Day”

Several recent marketing emails I’ve received lately were titled “Happy Memorial Day”. My response?  Cringing. “Happy”? I don’t want to disparage the senders, but language is important to me. Word choice and imagery, critical.

This day where we remember our war dead, “happy”, to me, misses the point. “Thoughtful”, perhaps. “Reflective” works well, too. Thinking about the history and imagery around “Memorial Day”, and I don’t see joy, happiness; just somberness.

I think of WWI, the masses of humanity ground up in the machinery of war. Also, as its armistice was drawn up yet the fighting, and dying, continued so that leaders could enjoy symbolism; war’s madness, too. Elements which have not faded from the modern battle field.

The loss of so much potential; of sons, fathers, friends. I find such deeply sobering.

I don’t feel anger or offense, though, which is so often our favorite response. Just contemplative consideration.

A few thoughts about Memorial Day weekend

As it’s Friday, I’m planning out the family’s agenda for this long weekend. One of the key elements for us will be rest. But there’s Folklife down at the Seattle Center, with that there’s Art Of The Brick at the Pacific Science Center, farmer’s markets, hikes, so very much to do. I want to add one key thing, regarding the reason for the day.

Many cemeteries will have rememberences for our service dead (this one’s in Edmonds, and the one at Washelli in Seattle is thought-provoking). I’ve done many of these over the years. I find them very powerful.

A powerful reminder of the cost of war. Stories of heroism, born of the love of comrades and deep sacrifice. Tied in are tales of deep sadness, of the wrenching loss of sons/daughters, fathers, mothers, friends and siblings. War sizes holes left in lives.

I’ve worked with many vets over the years. All I’ve really done is hang out with these guys, honored their stories, sitting without judgment, with them in their brokenness and pain. For me, at this point in my life, Memorial Day comes with thoughts of those who came home alive in body, and shattered in the soul. For them I harbor a special place in my heart. They are often forgotten between our honoring the dead and fitting in an extra round of golf. With that, evey day 22 veterans commit suicide. I ask you to offer up a prayer for them, however that might look to you. (One way I’ll be doing this is with 22 push-ups. A clever campaign to grow awareness.)

As a Veteran, the son of one, and part of a long lineage of vets, this day is rather sobering. May you pause briefly and remember the cost of war, the joy of peace, and the amazing power of love.

An Open House for some serious work in Lynnwood

City of Lynnwood Logo

Next Wednesday there will be an open house for this project. On 196th from the east side of Fred Meyer to just before I-5. Come and be informed, and give your thoughts and input. If you want to take the deep dive, here’s the project’s website.

 

PROJECT OPEN HOUSE NOTICE

196th Street SW Improvements:

48th Avenue W to 37th Avenue W Project

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

6:00 to 8:00 PM

Lynnwood City Hall, Council Chambers

19100 44th Ave W Lynnwood, WA 98046-5008


The City of Lynnwood is in the process of designing a widening of 196th St SW from 48th Ave W to 37th Ave W and invites the public and all other interested parties to an Open House. The purpose of the Open House will be to provide information regarding the project and seek public comment.

Project Information

The 196th St SW Improvements: 48th Ave W to 37th Ave W project will add two additional lanes (one lane in each direction), median barriers, wider sidewalks, and landscape features. The improvements are needed to accommodate future growth envisioned for City Center and to create an enhanced pedestrian environment with a boulevard appearance.

My memories of Mukilteo

I grew up one city south of Mukilteo. Until I drove, it was a commitment to travel there, but we’d make our way there a couple of times a year, mostly in the summer.

As a teen, it was a fun place to drive, though the police had little tolerance for bored adolescents. With the beach, fire pits and Ivar’s, it was a very convenient place to hang out.

In those days, the Mukilteo Speedway was mostly a country highway. Two lanes, through dense trees, quite dark at night. One would expect to hear banjos wafting from the trees. Jeeps and other off road types had plenty of fun in those old woods. The Pit was a large sinkhole that was smooth enough for trucks and such to climb their way out. There were several ways out, and each of the climbs had varying levels of challenge. I stayed on the sidelines watching the show. Usually by a fire.

I still have moments when I think of the Harbour Pointe neighborhood as new. I remember when they started construction in those old woods. Hard to believe that decades have passed, but such is life.

It’s now solidly suburban, clean and well designed, a great compliment for those Boeing execs and their families. Actually, there’s a nice array of housing options, from houses to condos to apartments, and a world class school district, good ol Mukilteo is a great place to live.

Exploring Mukilteo

Though quite grey, yesterday was rather dry. A friend who has been interested in exploring local trails called us, so off my son and went, with two dogs in tow.

A Mukilteo resident, she takes her dogs regularly to the Japanese Gulch Dog Park, where I’ve never been. First, though, we briefly hike around the gulch. The recent rain did leave the smaller trails muddy, but not that challenging. The trail we took from the dog park was pretty clear. A few water laden bushes drooped over the trail, and there some very narrow spots on the trail, but it was quite straightforward. Not accessible in a wheelchair, though. Some of the bridges over small streams were rather creative in their design, and materials chosen, like several narrow boards that are a bit slick. When we got on the larger trails, made of pressed gravel, the going was quite easy.  

After a short hike, we let the dogs go into the dog park.  The dogs played reasonably well with the others. The other dog owners were friendly and respectful. It’s a very neat part of Mukilteo.

Hungry, we opted to walk down the hill to grab fish and chips at Ivar’s, ate dinner at the park by the lighthouse, then grabbed ice cream at Diamond Knot before walking back up to the van. Got there just before an evening squall dumped quite a bit of rain. Nice timing!

Though not far from Lynnwood, I didn’t go up to Mukilteo much growing up. As a teen, we’d head up there every do often during the summer. Not too much has changed there. It’s still a fun spot to park and just hang out. With Ivar’s fish bar right there, it’s pretty convenient. Paying for parking down by the beach is a but of a bummer, parking up top and walking down is easy enough.

I’ve many memories of Mukilteo, from The Pit, a sinkhole that worked great for four wheeling, to the woods where Harbour Pointe is now. It’s changed so very much over the years, yet it delights me so see these elements stay the same.

A Thought About Today’s Real Estate In Greater Seattle

When we agents log into the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), we’re presented with some key market stats. The first one shows how many homes have been listed in the past 24 hours. When I logged this morning, there were seven. Yesterday, though, there were over 800. Today’s total inventory is 14,244, so over 6% of the listed homes for sale were listed in one day.

So, great news for our home buyers struggling to get an offer accepted: looks like the summer sales season has started. This burst of inventory should really help things stabilize.

For people interested in selling their homes, expect the price increases to calm. I expect that we’re near the highest point we’ll reach in awhile. If you’re waiting for THE peak…well, that’s a dangerous game. You only know where the peak WAS; retrospectively.

Anyway, I’m expecting those discouraged buyers will be heartened and get back into the work of home searching. Great news!

Hard to see the future well enough to game the system. But the signs point to good things.

Defining “Accidental Real Estate Agent”

I’ve been calling myself an accidental real estate agent for quite awhile. It’s well past time to explain what I mean.

Most real estate agents I’ve met made a deliberate choice to enter this field. For many, it was money. Others I know are in this for the flexible hours, to be their own boss, and so forth. The specifics are less important though. They made a deliberate choice. Very few people in the industry stumble in.

Just over five years ago, after a firey end to my last stint at Microsoft (if you want to hear the story, let’s meet for coffee sometime), and I was burned out on the Fortune 500. My focus for the ensuing job search was Snohomish county. I stumbled upon a Craigslist ad for an office manager and was hired.

A few months in I got my license and things changed a bit further. Now I’ve coordinated sales for hundreds of transactions, created marketing for even more, and developed great relationships with amazing, dedicated and talented folks. My career ride to this point has been lots of fun.

It’s really a fascinating industry. We move people into their HOMES! Really, how amazing is that! It’s where lives are lived, kids raised, and where most people capture their wealth. It’s one of the most stressful events in anyone’s life. And influential. And we agents are right there, lowering stress and making lives better. It’s very satisfying, indeed.

Things are changing for me more as the business evolves. But I’m still here for you, and to answer your questions! Drop a comment and let me know.